"Janusz Kesik" wrote in message ...
Uzytkownik "Bill Daniels" napisal w wiadomosci
news:50Nld.85500$HA.42160@attbi_s01...

Finding a way to produce a 'cheap' LS4 isn't going to be the result of
re-shuffling the compromises that produced the LS4 in the first place.
Composite gliders are made the way they are because hand labor can produce
a
high performance product in low quantities. There's not a lot a room for
improvement in that process. (Finding cheap labor will be a short term
solution since once they can produce a quality product, they won't be
cheap
anymore.)

Not only cheap, but also qualified enough. If You move the production to
China, then when they reach the moment they will be able to produce a brand
new LS-4 which will be of acceptable quality there may be too late, and the
learining process also costs. Isn't it better to move the production some
500km East to the place where there is a lot of guys which are able to
produce it 'with their eyes closed' and still at 3-4US$ / workhour, huh?

Regards,

Janusz,

You are absolutely correct. The cost of production in old SZD Bielsko
will be bit lower then in some other countries capable of
manufacturing sailplanes. The crew from SZD Bielsko is extremely
highly skilled, so the quality of gliders built in that factory should
be and it is very good. But currently they only make Junior, Puchacz,
Acro and the 55. Should the SZD Bielsko management approach the
Germans who own the manufacturing rights to the LS4 and ask them for
their business or should the SZD Bielsko revive the SZD48-3, improve
slightly and sell it worldwide for very competitive price? Make it the
glider of choice for the U.S. Sport Class and the European Club Class?
This bird can also compete (just for fun I suppose) in the standard
class worldwide. The Jantar Std. 3 flies pretty good and with some
minimal training most pilots that are current can fly it safely.
Well...just something to think about...